Curriculum Vita
AREAS OF RESEARCH
I have an interdisciplinary background that includes training and experience in the social and natural sciences. My research is focused on developing a better understanding of the social dimensions of coupled human and natural systems. Using theory and methods from sociology and social-psychology, I examine the factors that influence the adoption of behaviors that enable adaptation to changing environmental conditions. Prior to joining SENR, I completed an American Association for the Advancement of Science, Science and Technology Policy Fellowship in the Climate Program Office of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. In this role, I served as a US delegate to the 28th United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change / SBSTA negotiations.
CURRENT PROJECTS
Managing multi-functional landscapes at the interface of public forests and private land: Advancing understanding through a comparison of experience in the U.S. and Australia
Coupled human and natural systems -- the influence of upstream human behaviors on water quality and downstream ecological services in a changing climate (project website: http://www.ohioseagrant.osu.edu/maumeebay/)
Restoring landscapes in the context of environmental change: A mental models analysis of ecological restoration on us forest service lands
Climate impacts on the Lake Erie fishery: ecological impacts on fish populations and changes in angler behavior
Integrating fuels reduction and pine barrens restoration in endangered Kirtland's Warbler habitat management: Examining endangered species management in a changing climate
Examining the influence and effectiveness of communication programs and community partnerships on public perceptions of smoke management: A multi-region analysis
The Lake States Fire Science Consortium: A Joint Fire Science Program Knowledge Exchange Consortium (project website: http://lakestatesfiresci.net/)
LINKS TO RESEARCH LAB WEBSITES
Environmental and Social Sustainability Lab (http://ess.osu.edu)
Human Dimensions of the Environment Research Group (http://hde.osu.edu)
CURRENT COURSES
ENR 2300 Society and Natural Resources
ENR 7380 Climate and Society
ENR 7500 Resolving Social Conflict
ENR 5797 Study Abroad: Sustaining Human Societies and the Natural Environment (course website: http://go.osu.edu/SustainingSocieties)
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
Kocher, S.D., E. Toman, S.F. Trainor, V. Wright, J.S. Briggs, J. Clement, P.C. Goebel, E.M. MontBlanc, A. Oxarart, D.L. Peppin, T.A. Steelman, A. Thode, T. Waldrop. In Press. How can we span the boundaries between wildland fire science and management in the United States? Journal of Forestry.
Ascher, T., R.S. Wilson, and E. Toman. In Press. The importance of affect and perceived risk in understanding support for fuels management among wildland-urban interface residents. International Journal of Wildland Fire.
McCaffrey, S., E. Toman, M. Stidham and B. Shindler. In Press. Social science research related to wildfire management: An overview of recent findings and future research needs. International Journal of Wildland Fire.
Toman, E. and R. Moore. In Press. Human dimensions of climate change adaptation: Factors that influence behaviours. In, Proceedings of International conference on adaptation to Climate Change and Food Security in West Asia and North Africa. Springer.
Toman, E., M. Stidham, B. Shindler, and S. McCaffrey. In Press. Social science at the Wildland-Urban Interface: A compendium of research results to create fire-safe communities. NRS-GTR-XXX. Newtown Square, PA: USDA Forest Service, Northern Research Station.
McCaffrey, S., M. Stidham, E. Toman, and B. Shindler. 2011. Outreach programs, peer pressure, and common sense: What motivates homeowners to mitigate fire risk? Environmental Management 48(3): 475-88.
Toman, E., M. Stidham, B. Shindler, and S. McCaffrey. 2011. Reducing fuels in the Wildland Urban Interface: Community perceptions of agency fuels treatments. International Journal of Wildland Fire 20(3): 340-349.
Stidham, M., E. Toman, S. McCaffrey, and B. Shindler. 2011. Improving an inherently stressful situation: The role of communication during wildfire evacuations. In, S. McCaffrey (ed.), Proceedings of the Second Human Dimensions of Wildland Fire Conference. Newton Square, PA: USDA Forest Service, Northern Research Station General Technical Report. NRS-P-84.
Bruskotter, J.T., E. Toman, S.A. Enzler, and R.H. Schmidt. 2010. Are gray wolves endangered in the Northern Rocky Mountains? A role for social science in listing determinations. BioScience 60(11): 941-948.
Bruskotter, J.T., E. Toman, S.A. Enzler, and R.H. Schmidt. 2010. Gray wolves not out of the woods yet. Science 327(1): 30-31. (Editor reviewed)
Shindler, B., E. Toman, and S. McCaffrey. 2009. Public Perspectives of fire, fuels, and the Forest Service in the Great Lakes Region: A survey of citizen-agency communication and trust. International Journal of Wildland Fire 18: 157-164.
Toman, E., B. Shindler, J. Absher, and S. McCaffrey. 2008. Post-fire communications: The influence of site visits on public support. Journal of Forestry 106(1): 25-30.